The new old Tokyo
The bright, racing, digital, 12 million person metropolis of Tokyo has gone all quiet and traditional. Tiny, obscured bars buried in dark alleyways behind nondescript doors are inviting small numbers of trusted patrons to quiet nights of reserved nightlife, and right now a word of mouth invitation to a small, basic bar is the hottest ticket in this technology-obsessed city. Recounted through a fine piece of travel writing Julia Chaplin of The Times strayed far from the well-trodden tourist grid and experienced the secretive, whispered nightlife chosen by Tokyo’s socialites and former party set. Embracing tradition and finding respite from an always-on connected lifestyle, Tokyo’s fashionistas, artists and designers are secretively guarding their new-found nightspots to enjoy quiet conversation and quality company in a more homely atmosphere than the more common western-style nightclubs and bars. A welcome change in Tokyo, the trend is unique in a global context – particularly in comparison to the fluorescent new rave invasion in London. [artwork by Hirofu ISO / Komainu]
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Also by ANDY
Struth! We’re now stocking the beautifully designed and overtly Australian range of products by Aussie illustrator, Eamo. Perfect for those of us living abroad, who miss the taste of Vegemite and the smell of the beach, or those whose fleeting connection with the big brown land has left them longing for more.
We’re now stocking your creations
Our online store has been kicking along nicely for a while now, featuring prints by Andy Smith [pictured], tees by Das Monk and jewellery by This Charming Man to name a few. We have visitors from all across the globe and some of our pieces have been racing out the virtual door faster than we imagined possible. Aw, shucks! Now it’s your turn. If you design, create, or distribute products and artwork that fits with our style, and you’d like to see your goodies stocked on our shelves in time for Christmas, drop us a note introducing yourself and we’ll take it from there. Psst … we’re planning some Christmas gift ideas and subscriber offers too. We reckon you’ll like them.
The knuckle sandwich charm necklace by This Charming Man features two pieces of bread on either side of a tiny set of brass knuckle dusters. Rad huh? Get yours now for $140.
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Walton Ford’s huge, intricate watercolors and prints inspired by John James Audubon’s Ornithological Biography, Vietnamese folk tales, and Benjamin Franklin’s letters boggle the mind with their scale and detail. Ford depicts very subtly anthropomorphic animals that hint at parables, jokes, and metaphors. Read more
Tyr are a great Viking metal band from the Faroe Islands, a tiny nation between Greenland and the British Islands. They sing in Faroese, Danish, and English, crafting amazingly catchy songs inspired by Dream Theater, mid-era Metallica, and Black Sabbath.
If you like what we do at Lost At E Minor — and the talented, creative people that we give props to — then we’d love to hear how you can help us get the word out to more people about the site. Read more
Paintings from Nicholas Aoki’s new solo exhibition, Goodnight; Sweet, Hearts blur two worlds — one of mortals and one of Gods, skeletons and creature spirits. The Toronto-based Aoki uses watercolors and acrylics to create rich landscapes that he layers with the characters in this journey to death. And while the paintings contain a dark subject matter, they also contain flashes of light — a glowing full moon, say, or lamp posts helping guide the way.
Andrew Fagan, lead singer of The Mockers, the poppiest New Zealand band of the 80s, came around to my place once when I was an impressionable 10-year old with stars in my eyes and a head full of shiny, shiny melodies. Read more
I don’t know if it’s the name, the relaxed look, or the attitude that just don’t sit too well with authority, but something about New York based label Sophomore has got us reminiscing about the good old days. Their current collection has boys and girls getting back-to-basics. Think jersey sweats and loose tees, mixed with yoke necks, caplet sleeves and tapered waists. And you know what that means? The search for the perfect white tee and the ultimate summer singlet is over. If that’s not enough to get you inspired, pull out your denim, pop on some 1970s vintage Jodie Foster, and get ready to channel some Lower East Side cred.
My friend and fine artist Sara Wolfe sent me this link of Chicago based artist Diego Leclery. He created this flash animation Panda, to celebrate the recent Beijing Olympics. He initially said he would take it down after the closing ceremony, but it is still up, so watch this cool one before it’s gone!
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T-post: the world’s first wearable magazine
So here’s the scoop. Every six weeks, T-post subscribers get a new t shirt issue in the mail, with a news story on the inside and an artist interpretation of that story on the front. Yes, we agree. It’s clever, clever. Read more
Check out Mike Stimpson’s Lego reinterpretations of classic photographs. Stimpson’s version of Malcolm Browne’s iconic 1963 photograph of the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc is particularly twisted. Read more
I live the upbeat, feel good tempo of the new single — A Hundred Hearts — from Philly group, The Swimmers. Off their latest album, People Are Soft, this song is a strangely fitting anthem for the blustery day outside.
Trip out with Sparrow Vs Sparrow’s retro illustrations, I love their aesthetic, color use and sense of humor. Read more
There is not a medium that UK illustrator Lizzy Stewart cannot wrap around her little finger to make the most beautiful, whimsical images. Read more
Wolfmother. Rock n roll. Mystical lyrics. Heavy riffs. They have a new album out, Cosmic Egg, and we have five copies to giveaway, along with their debut album. To enter, tell us your favorite Wolfmother song and the city you live in. Yo! Two fingered salute. Read more
Sovereign Beck create modern silk ties for the classic man — both understated and provocative, classic and cutting edge. We have them for sale in the Lost At E Minor store. Read more
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Chuck F said | 28 June, 2007
This has alwayls been true in Japan, Clubs are mainly for the 25 and under crowd. Everybody else just goes out drinking at small bars, the drinking culture in Japan is intense.
Nothing new to see here really, just the article entirely misinterpeting things. There are very very few hipster exclusive bars, most of the time it’s just the bar you’ve been going to for awhile or is near a spot you like. Exclusive in the case she writes would be like finding a mom and pap bar in some low-pedesterian area in NY.
The fact she even mentions Le Baron as being some exclusive hipster place is laughable, it’s just Roppongi for people that are in Tokyo longer then a month and recently has next to zero Japanese in it.